I am always amazed at the excitement and nervousness from those going on their first short-term mission trip, most of the time they don’t know enough to know what they need to be nervous about. There is an excitement in their eyes as they head into the unknown. They prepare testimonies and lessons, not knowing how God will use them or if they will be effective. They pack what is recommended and wonder if it will be enough. They comfort their parents and loved ones, and try to reassure them everything is going to be alright, while at the same time not knowing what the future holds. But through leading and prayer, the journey begins.
A lot of mission team members, especially those who have never been on mission before usually become broken spiritually sometime during the week of the trip. They discover a new outlook on sharing, faith, trust, and God. Why is this? It is simple, during the week they are constantly hearing the word of God either from others sharing or through the preaching or their own study. They also see the word of God come to life. That doesn’t mean that the bible gets up and starts walking around. But they see the Spirit of God begin to work in the lives of the people they come in contact with. They walk the streets with a single purpose, to find the person of peace with whom they can share the good news of the gospel. Some are hit with the hard truth that not all will accept the gospel, so they plant a seed not knowing the condition of the soil. Other times they begin to pour out water onto unknown soil, unaware that a seed exist and has been waiting for the moisture that God will use to bring it to life. They get excited and don’t know what to do when out of the ground springs forth life. A miracle, they get to see cold dead bones come to life. After that experience, they have a drive to share and no longer need to be pushed in front of people to share with. Oh what it would have been like in Acts to walk the streets and see God work, bringing people to life through the proclamation of the Gospel. But wait, could that still happen? And could it happen here?
After returning home and a couple weeks of rest, life returns to normal. The mission was accomplished, people were saved and now we are back comfortable, safe, fed, and loved. Or are we? There is always a sense of completion at the end of a mission trip. Not that that would be wrong in the short term, but there is a since of that was where we were on mission at, but now we are back and we have things to get done. Real stuff, school, work, friends, problems, and you know life. Right?
One of the greatest tragedies we have is short-term missions. I know you saw a bunch of people get saved, and God really “showed up”, but stay with me. There is a since of awe and wonder during the week of a mission trip. And we look forward to the next year when we can go and feel that same since of awe and wonder. But let’s compare it to a race shall we. Anyone who runs foot races understands that you have different splits. These are markers throughout the race to gauge your progress, and to ensure you are on pace. A short-term mission trip is sort of like a split. It is a time to see if you are where you need to be in your spiritual life, in your reading and study of the word, apologetics, doctrines, and if you can articulate them to the world around you. The shortness of the week gives you the opportunity to push yourself hard and to evaluate yourself. The tragedy is that the short-term is looked at, as the race itself. We return with a sense that we ran and will rest up to run again next year.
The race however is not over. In fact it is just beginning. When you return home, it is like passing the first mile marker. The street is no longer filled with cheering fans, the road narrows, and the reality of the race sets in. Here is where we must work our hardest. This is where we must pull from prayer and scripture, the strength to press on. Where most might sit and rest, we must run to win. We don’t just return to normal life, we return with a renewed sense of awe for what God has been doing and we must now trust even more so that He will continue His work. We saw on foreign soil God work in others lives. Now we must trust that He will work in ours for His glory and to reach those around us. We are home; this is where we must turn from our sins, where we must love God more than mother and father, more than friends and things. This is where we live out what we preach, if we believe that which we have taught. Did we believe it? Do we believe it? If so, then are we disciplined for the miles ahead? Paul tells the church at Corinth “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. Are we disqualified or are we still in the race?
There are no short-term missionaries; there are only missionaries in different context. When we return to our Jerusalem, let us seek the hope that is only found in Christ. Let us not lean on our own understanding, our own wisdom, which is foolishness. Let us not fall victim to busyness and the lure of shiny objects that promise fulfillment. Let our knees be worn out for those nearest to us. Let our time be determined by the cross and His call, trusting that He will provide the time for work, family, fun, and ministry, as we continue the race. We have found our greatest joy in walking by faith; let us not check our faith with Homeland Security as we return home. But let us be reminded daily where our ultimate security is found and where our joy is greatest. Wherever you woke up at, wherever you find yourself, wherever you stand today, then that is your mission field. Time to get running.
doxo Bellevue
You mentioned it well!
Jerry Simms Horse Race Track Owner
Awesome post.
Colby
10 Undeniable Reasons People Hate Sports Toto Statistics 안전놀이터 (Colby)
casino goldfishka
Да, игровой мир действительно
привлекает своим азартом, риском, острыми ощущениями, а главное –
быстрыми и легкими деньгами.
먹튀검증
I do believe all the concepts you have presented in your post.
They are really convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for beginners.
May you please prolong them a little from subsequent time?
Thank you for the post.
Press Release Chicago
This post is very informative. I truly loved the
detailed analysis you laid out. It’s evident that you put a
lot of energy into crafting this. Looking forward to more of
your content. Grateful for offering this. I’ll definitely return to read more!
My web site … Press Release Chicago
Segal Expertise in Corporate Financing
Terrific posts. Kudos!
foundation repair FAQs
Asking questions are genuinely fastidious thing if you are not understanding
anything fully, except this paragraph gives nice understanding even.
Here is my blog: foundation repair FAQs
double glazed repair
Three Reasons Why You’re Double Glazing Misting Repair Is
Broken (And How To Repair It) double glazed repair
Smoothstack Inc IT Services Provider
Nicely put, Appreciate it!
foundation repair DFW
It’s an awesome article in favor of all the web viewers; they will get benefit from
it I am sure.
Here is my web blog foundation repair DFW
Jim
See What Asbestos Attorneys Tricks The Celebs Are Using asbestos attorneys – Jim,
我附近的咖啡师培训
You’ve made your stand extremely nicely.!
Andrew Katz Tutoring CPA Exam Tutoring Group
Nicely put. Thanks a lot.
E-Bookmarks.Com
20 Myths About Bunk Bed Tree House With Slide: Busted
Treehouse Double Bed – E-Bookmarks.Com –
griffith-king.blogbright.net
Where To Research Rollator For Tall People Online tall rollator (griffith-king.blogbright.net)
James J. Blake Richmond - KY
This is nicely said. !
doxo Online Payment Delivery Options
You actually mentioned it adequately.
HD Foundations Inc.
My relatives always say that I am killing my time here at web,
except I know I am getting knowledge all the time by reading such good
articles or reviews.
My web site; HD Foundations Inc.
Narvaez Texas
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your
site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me
a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided
bright clear concept
www.Google.co.ck
5 Killer Quora Answers On Link Togel Resmi link togel (http://www.Google.co.ck)
foundation repair process
That is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
Here is my web site … foundation repair process
foundation repair tips
If you would like to increase your knowledge simply keep visiting this site and be updated with the
most recent information posted here.
Here is my web page: foundation repair tips
treadmills at home
5 Cliches About Treadmill You Should Avoid treadmills at home
Jerald Hill a Construction Company President
Really quite a lot of excellent tips!
pa lottery
He took a lump, the post-tax sum of $998,570 immediately after winning Michigan’s ‘Make Me Wealthy pa lottery‘,
and then appeared on TLC’s ‘Lottery Changed My Life’.
Jerald Lee Hill a Construction Company President
Fantastic stuff. Thanks a lot!
CPA Exam Support & Tutoring Group
You stated that wonderfully.
foundation repair Dallas-Fort Worth
It’s amazing in support of me to have a website, which is useful in favor of my know-how.
thanks admin
Also visit my blog post :: foundation repair Dallas-Fort Worth
HD Foundations Inc.
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some
help from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
Many thanks
Also visit my web blog :: HD Foundations Inc.
HD Foundation Repair
I got this web site from my friend who informed me concerning this site and at the moment this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative posts here.
Also visit my site HD Foundation Repair
foundation repair tips
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during
lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good site!
Here is my web page; foundation repair tips
Ponter
Howdy excellent blog! Does running a blog like this require a lot of work?
I have very little knowledge of coding but I had been hoping to start my
own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or tips
for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off
topic however I just wanted to ask. Many thanks!
foundation repair Texas
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the
blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
My site – foundation repair Texas
foundation repair cost
Wonderful website. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending
it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks
for your sweat!
Take a look at my web site – foundation repair cost
Sukanta Pittsburgh
Thanks, Ample information.
Jerry La Jolla
Nicely put. Many thanks.
foundation repair Dallas-Fort Worth
If you would like to take a great deal from this paragraph then you
have to apply these methods to your won web site.
Also visit my web-site – foundation repair Dallas-Fort Worth
indian sex video
I was able to find good information from your blog articles.
Manella New Hope
Cheers, A lot of facts!
Smoothstack Inc Provides Talent Acquisition Services
Hello to all, because I am really eager of reading this web site’s post to be updated daily.
It includes fastidious data.
เรียนดำน้ำลึก
I all the time emailed this webpage post page
to all my contacts, as if like to read it then my links will too.
my site … เรียนดำน้ำลึก
foundation repair DFW
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and
I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the closing section 🙂 I deal with such info much.
I was looking for this particular information for a very lengthy time.
Thanks and good luck.
Here is my website – foundation repair DFW
concrete foundation repair
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my
users would definitely benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this okay with you.
Thanks!
My web blog: concrete foundation repair
Purchasing Semaglutide
Keep on working, great job!
Craig Expertise in Regulatory Compliance
Thanks! I value it.
bokep viral terbaru 2024
bokep terbaik sma toket gede menyala banget
concrete foundation repair
It’s remarkable for me to have a site, which is good for my knowledge.
thanks admin
My site concrete foundation repair
Bellevue - Washington
Beneficial tips, With thanks.
Dulcie
20 Questions You Should Always Ask About Big Sectional Couch Before Purchasing It cheap couches for sale – Dulcie,